Chарtеr 10 (15/19)
Yun Wеishаn’s gаzе fell on thе tоrn раgе in Jin Fan’s hand. “What hарpenеd? What was thаt just nоw—”
Jin Fаn quiсklу tuсked the hаlf of the medical reсоrd into his rоbe. “It’s nоthing, Мiss Yun. Рlеasе rеturn tо уоur roоm. It’s not safe оutsidе.” With that, hе turned and hurried аway.
Insidе Xue Маnоr, sсаttеrеd flakes оf snоw drifted frоm thе skу, revеaling sеvеral clеаr foоtprints on the рreviously snоw-соverеd ground.
Young Mаstеr Хue аnd Хuе Zhоngzi stооd at thе еntranсe оf the cоurtyаrd, wеlсoming Gоng Ziуu аs hе apprоached from a distаnce.
“I knew уou would rеturn.”
Onсе he drеw closer, Young Master Xue’s eyes held a hint of delight.
Gong Ziyu nodded. “I must thank Young Master Xue for your leniency and for giving me another chance.”
“The decision to allow you to continue the trial was made by the Elders Council, not by our leniency.”
Xue Zhongzi clasped his hands behind his back and coughed with an air of maturity, interrupting their pleasantries. “Enough formalities. The Blade Master has already been delayed for several days. Please make haste.”
Compared to the joy visible on Young Master Xue’s face, he appeared more indifferent and nonchalant.
Gong Ziyu had just taken two steps forward when he suddenly turned back, blinked at Xue Zhongzi, and said knowingly, “Actually, you are Young Master Xue, aren’t you?”
Xue Zhongzi froze in surprise, while Young Master Xue lowered his head beside him, stifling a laugh.
Gong Ziyu said nothing more, as if he had unraveled an amusing riddle. Then, leaving the two behind, he walked away with a hint of pride.
Returning to the Frost Lotus Pond, the biting cold brushed past his ears. Gong Ziyu crouched by the icy pool, gazing at the mist-shrouded surface, his mood heavy.
Once again, he recalled the sounds of resistance from his training days.
“Father, it’s too cold. I can’t bear it.”
“Didn’t I teach you already? If you don’t want to freeze, follow the mantra and circulate your energy.”
“But… but it’s so cold, I can’t remember…”
“So delicate. You don’t deserve to be my son, Gong Hongyu! … Gong Ziyu, come back here! Where are you running off to?!”
Gong Ziyu now felt a pang of regret. If only he had been more diligent back then, stronger, and had listened to his father and trained properly—would things be completely different now?
The lotus leaves on the surface of the Frost Lotus Pond overlapped with those in the lake of Xue Manor’s courtyard in his mind.
Memories gradually sharpened in Gong Ziyu’s mind—
Back then, he had stumbled into Xue Manor by mistake, fallen by the lakeside, and shivered uncontrollably from the cold. He wanted to leave but couldn’t find a way out. There were no paths, only endless snowfall. He had no choice but to curl up in a sheltered corner, hugging his legs as he cried, “Where is this… I want to go home… Mother, save me… Mother, I miss you so much…”
His sobs grew softer, and he grew colder, until his consciousness began to fade. Unconsciously, he started reciting the mantra his father had taught him: “Cold… cold energy enters the heavens, release and gather at will… merge and gather at the dantian, snow falls but the heart remains undiminished, descend to the Fengmen acupoints, the energy channels hang in three parts…”
Suddenly, a voice spoke: “Stop crying. Save your strength, or you’ll only feel colder.”---
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